The Alley - Oakland

The Alley
photo from Our Oakland

The Alley is a piano bar on Grand Avenue in the Lakeshore neighborhood famous for at least two things: Rod Dibble the pianist, and the decor. The interior is loosely designed to look like an alley, with fake roofs, windows and telephone poles, and appears to have not been updated in decades. The walls are covered in business cards which may or may not be a terrible fire hazard.

The Alley also serves food, including steaks, burgers, and even a vegetable plate. There are several side dishes served "Alley-Cart". First person who reports back about the steak wins a prize!

Won 2014 "Readers Choice" Best Steaks in Oakland Magazine.

The film Blindspotting had a scene set at The Alley.

When COVID closed The Alley, regulars took the singing to Zoom with a virtual tip jar to help pay the bills. ¹

History

The Alley was founded in 1934. For many years (1950-1995) it was owned by Jody Kerr, whose portrait hangs on the wall. Rod Dibble was hired by Kerr in 1960. Kerr died in 1995; Dibble died in 2017.